Estimated reading time 6 minutes, 10 seconds.
Nav Canada concluded a successful participation at CANSO’s Airspace World 2024, an event that brings together leaders from the global airspace management industry.
As a participant, Nav Canada leveraged the opportunity to share its insights and transformation plans for the future. Marie-Pier Berman, Mark Cooper and Diana Kelly from Nav Canada presented the company’s view on the future of air traffic management.
Nav Canada manages one of the largest regions of airspace in the world and is in a unique position to modernize an air navigation system that will better serve customers, meet future demand, minimize environmental impact, and continue to play a global leadership role.
On March 20, Nav Canada became the first non-European Air Navigation Service Provider to join the iTEC Alliance and entered in a trans-Atlantic partnership with Indra to facilitate the introduction of trajectory-based operations (TBO) into Canada and steer air traffic management towards new levels of efficiency. With the addition of Nav Canada, the iTEC Alliance is now in a stronger position to achieve unprecedented levels of coordination and build towards more sustainable skies.
Drawing on some of the best technologies around the world, Nav Canada is reimagining traditional service delivery. Mark Cooper, VP and chief technology and information officer, stated: “We are just scratching the surface of what artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to do in terms of revolutionizing air traffic control. We are very focused on using AI to support our high skilled staff to make evidence-based decisions. This will help us improve operational safety, increase efficiency and reduce emissions for the whole industry.”
Cooper discussed how AI can revolutionize and transform air traffic management as a panelist on “The Skies of Tomorrow: How AI is Transforming Air Traffic Management.”
Cooper provides leadership, direction and oversight to a diverse group of over 1,500 employees responsible for operational technology, information management and cyber security. They provide mission critical services; and develop and maintain technologies that support the safe and efficient movement of air traffic.
Nav Canada is also continuously rethinking how the workplace should be transformed to adapt to technological advancements that will support efficient decision-making and positive working environment. During a panel about “Future Aviation Workforce and New Skills for a Transformative Future.”
Diana Kelly, VP and chief human resources office, mentioned in this regard: “Embracing technological transformations in the workplace necessitates a shift in perspective and skill set. It is crucial to foster adaptability, digital literacy, and innovation as automation and artificial intelligence transform the aviation industry. The future worker must possess a blend of technical expertise and soft skills to traverse altering environments and fill the gaps created by automation.”
Kelly is currently vice-chair of the CANSO HR Working group, a member of the CD Howe Human Capital Policy Council, and sits on the Governing Body of the Evanta Executive Leadership Community of Toronto.
When discussing about “Transforming Aviation Through AI,” Marie-Pier Berman, VP and chief of operations, shared her views about the rapid advancements in technology and how AI could be used to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability in air traffic management.
“As we start to use Al to supplement or enhance decision-making, we first need to focus on trust,” she said. “Trust in the technology, trust in the training we’re providing to employees, and trust in the decision-making processes facilitated by Al. Hopefully in the long-term AI will benefit the aviation industry in different aspects such as more efficient global alignment.”
Berman is responsible for providing tactical and strategic leadership overseeing the operations and delivery of Nav Canada’s air traffic services (ATS) with a focus on providing safe, efficient, orderly, and cost-effective services.
Nav Canada will continue to work in partnerships and invest to modernize Canada’s air navigation system and help the global aviation industry improve efficiency and support an environmentally sustainable future.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Nav Canada.
